On this disc, Carl Maria von Weber's Invitation to Dance and Symphonies Nos 1 and 2 are performed by the BBC Philharmonic under its Chief Conductor, Juanjo Mena. Scottish bassonist Karen Geoghegan joins them as the soloist in the Bassoon Concerto

Gramophone Magazine, January 2013Mena immediately sounds like a natural Weberian who, together with his smart horns and timpanist, has absorbed enough of historic-instrument practice to spare the music the false-sounding weighty Viennese classicism that used to be inflicted on many early-19th-century scores.

International Record Review, December 2012These are lively, virtuoso performances of works of considerable originality in composition. Not every detail is clear in the generally lucid recording, but pretty well everything in Weber's score is respected...Geoghegan gives a delightful performance of a work that respects the innately lyrical tone of the instrument, and fills the finale with wit while avoiding any clowning.

Sunday Times, 27th January 2013[the Symphonies] may show little of the melodic inventiveness that will be one of the glories of his opera Der Freischntz, 14 years later, but already his acute ear for instrumental colour is evident...The bassoon concerto is pleasant, if nothing like the solo clarinet works.

American Record Guide, March / April 2013I added both to my collection along with the Suite- Concertino of Wolf-Ferrari. Here is more of the same, and Mena for once is genial and supportive, the perfect host. I'm keeping this for the concerto. Among the symphony recordings I'd put ahead of this one.